Khurshid talks to PM on poll reforms

New Delhi: Seeking to push electoral reforms, Law Minister Salman Khurshid today met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss proposals of his Ministry on the issue. Khurshid is also understood to have apprised Singh about the Law Ministry`s plans to call an all-party meeting on electoral reforms some time later this month. During the discussions, he is learnt to have requested the Prime Minister to address the meeting.

The Law Ministry proposals on electoral reforms include barring candidates against whom charges have been framed in cases of heinous crimes besides limited state funding of elections, sources said. The proposals include change in Representation of People Act to provide for state funding for women and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes` candidates of recognised political parties.

To get this benefit, candidates should not have an annual income of more than Rs five lakh and movable or immovable property worth more than Rs 22 lakh. The limit would also include the income and assets of the candidates` spouses, the sources said. Another proposal makes it mandatory for candidates and their parties to submit their accounts for audit by an agency authorised only by the Comptroller and Auditor General. The Prime Minister`s Office had asked the Law Ministry to evolve a political consensus on its proposal on poll reforms.